In brief

♦ The Sisters of the Precious Blood were recognized for community service by the Grief to Grace Support Group in Dayton on April 25. The community was honored for the homicide prayer vigils the Sisters and others hold each time a person is killed by violence in Dayton, Trotwood and Harrison Township. Grief to Grace provides help, understanding and compassion for families and individuals who have lost a loved one through violence, abandonment or other form of loss.

♦ Precious Blood Sisters will join the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, in union with the Catholic Church around the world, to celebrate members of religious orders and others in consecrated life during the Year of Consecrated Life called by Pope Francis from Nov. 30, 2014 to Feb. 2, 2016.

“Each of us has a call from God, and discovering God’s call for us will bring joy to our life,” said the Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr, Archbishop of Cincinnati. “Religious life/consecrated life is a viable option.”
The objectives he has approved for the Archdiocesan observance of the Year are to:
• increase the visibility of religious life/consecrated life
• express appreciation
• highlight the joy experienced in this vocational choice
• educate about religious life/consecrated life

“The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has a long and rich history of welcoming religious communities,” Archbishop Schnurr said. “Today 34 different Congregations of women and 12 different Congregations of brothers and priests minister in the Archdiocese – approximately 226 priests, 114 brothers, and 781 sisters. We are also blessed with the presence of Secular Institutes, public (Regnum Christi) and private associations (Children of Mary) of the faithful, and a Consecrated Virgin Living in the World. All of those are examples of the consecrated life.”

Left, the plaque that the Sisters received from Grief to Grace in recognition for their work with the homicide vigils; top right, a symbol from Love not to Hate, a Grief to Grace program; bottom right, Sisters and other religious are celebrated during the Year of Consecrated Life.